DoD News

News Article

Taliban Senior Leader Targeted in Assault

American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2007  Several Taliban fighters were killed during an assault by Afghan National Army and coalition forces early this morning near the town of Gershk, in the Nahr Surkh district of Helmand province.

A group of Taliban fighters initiated hostilities by firing a rocket-propelled grenade at Afghan and coalition forces. The troops then engaged and killed the Taliban fighters. Officials have not yet determined the exact number of terrorists killed, according to a statement from Combined Joint Task Force 76.

The assault was conducted based on substantial information provided about a Taliban senior leader operating in the neighboring province of Kandahar, officials said. The targeted individual has ties to Mullah Mohammad Osmani and Mullah Mohammad Omar.

During the assault, an Afghan National Army vehicle overturned in a ravine. One Afghan soldier suffered a non-life threatening injury and was taken to a coalition hospital for further treatment, and the vehicle was destroyed on site.